This divided the council—the Pharisees against the Sadducees—
Parallel translations
- WEB When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided.
- KJV And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
- BSB As soon as he had said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
- NKJV And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.
- NASB When he said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul's words spark a dispute between the Pharisees and Sadducees, dividing the assembly. The council that meant to condemn him turns against itself.
Overview
The theological rift between the two parties erupts into open conflict. God uses the very divisions among Paul's accusers to deflect their united hostility. What was intended as a trial against Paul becomes a demonstration that his enemies cannot agree, and his deliverance follows.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Acts 14:4But the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
- Ps 55:9Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
- John 7:40–43Many of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, “This is truly the prophet.”
- Matt 10:34“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 23:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.